Apparatus for making flexible tubing



Sept'. 10,1963 FL s.scH1NDL.ER ETAI. 3,103,244

APPARATUS FoR MAKING FLEXIBLE TUBING @riginal Filed Feb. 13, 194 2 sheets-sheet I ,10 l? I I I Il I ,c/zar. zw

Sept 10, 1963 F. s. scHlNDLER ETAL 3,103,244

. APPARATIIS FOR MAKING FLEXIBLE TUBING oiginal FiledvFeb. 1s, 1948 v 2' sheets-sheet 2 @j 1g I4 34 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII I. 76 55 /l 35 ZZ A INVENToRs. www mrwmf States This application is a division of application No. 366,255, tiled July 6, 1953, and now Patent No. 2,965,961, which patent is in turn a division of application No. 8,116, iiled February 13, 1948, and now Patent No. 2,644,487.

'I'his invention relates to apparatus for producing reinforced flexible conduit structures of the type adapted for I high pressure use.

In the use of flexible conduits, particularly in larger sizes such as expansion joints, use with high iiuid pressures requires that reinforcing means be applied to the conduit structure yfor enabling the flexible member or structure to resist the high pressure forces involved. In certain instances such reinforcing means takes the form of rings which are disposed in embracing relation to the convolutions of the iiexible member so as to control the operation of the member and aid in the resisting of internal bursting fluid pressures. In expansion joints, for example, the iiexible member may comprise a thin wall annularly corrugated flexible conduit piece, the annular corrugations being embraced respectively by a series of annular rings suitably shaped to conform to the convolution contours. Y

In the conventional fabrication of such units the flexible conduit piece or member is first formed by suitable means, such 4for example as drawingor forming and welding a cylindrical blank from sheet stock, followed -by the corrugating operations, such for example as rolling or other forming operations; after which the reinforcing rings are applied as complemental half circular pieces suitably bolted together in embracing relation to the formed convolutions. Such `fabrication of theunit is costly, and is moreover subject to certain difficulties such for example as the weakening of the reinforcement rings bythe bolt holes, the unbalance of the bolt connections, and other unsatisfactory conditions induced by the nature and method of assembly of the parts.

In accordance with the present invention the reinforcement rings, heretofore mentioned, are employed as a part of the apparatus or means by which the corrugating of the flexible member is effected, whereby to secure economy of fabrication and improved yoperating characteristics in a number of important particulars, as Will hereinafter be pointed out.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved apparatus for effecting the production of reinforced liex ible conduits of the type defined.

More specifically stated, it is an object of thel present invention to provide anV improvedy reinforced flexible conduit fabricating apparatus, wherein the unit may be more cheaply fabricated; wherein the reinforcement means will have greater strength and balance in respect to its size and weight; and wherein a better it and cooperation is obtained between the reinforcing means and the convolutions of the ilexible member providing increased durability, a `greater latitude in manufacturing tolerances, and smoothness of operation. Various other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be apparent `from the following specification when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein certain preferred embodiments are set forth for purposes of illustration. l

In the drawings, wherein like reference numeral-s refer to like parts throughout:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of certainof the parts employed in the fabrication of the reinforced flexible conduit, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, to provide an expansion joint or structure; i

FIG. 2 is a partial illustrative side view 'of the yapparatus employed in manufacturing the structure of the invention, the parts being illustrated in one of the initial steps of fabrication;

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the structure of FIG. 2 on the line 3.-3 thereof;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional View of the structure of FIGS. 2 and 3, on the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing the parts in a later step of fabrication;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the parts of FIG. 2 on an enlarged scale, and more particularly showing the details of construction; j

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing a subsequent step in the fabricating operations;

FIG. 8 is a transverse sectional View of the structure of FIG. 7 on the line 88 thereof;

FIG. 9` is a partial View, similar to the showings in FIG. 6, -but illustrating a modified form of construction; and

FIGS. l() and l1 are detail illustrative views showing the end detail of the unit as lfabricated respectively by the methods of FIGS. 6 and 9*.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, and iirst to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7, in FIG. 1 there is i11usltrated a cylindrical conduit piece or member 101,'a rein-` forcement ring 12, and a reinforcement ring 14, the parts being shown in juxtaposed position prior to assembly.

The conduit piece 10' is preferably of suitable metal, plastic or other material having the desired physical properties for the installation to be made, and may be drawn, or fabricated from iiat sheet stock bent into cylindrical shape and, in the case of metal, longitudinally seam Welded as indicated at 16.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, a forming apparatus is shown comprising a machine base 18 having frame pedestals 20 and 22 disposed at the opposite ends thereof. The pedestal 2t)l comprises a lower stationary portion and a `hinged upper portion 24 pivotally mounted upon the lower portion as indicated at 26, FIG, 3; there being a clamping control handle as indicated aty 28 for locking and unlocking the upper -hinged portion 24 for pivotal movement. Split die or clamping members as indicated at 30 and 3-2 are carried, respectively, by the lower and upper pedestal members, said clamping dies being removably secured to the pedestal and being of a size and shape in conformance with the particular conduit structure to be formed.

The pedestal 22 is provided with an upper hinged portion as indicated at 34, similar hinge connections and control being provided as in the case of the parts 26 and 28 previously described. The cooperative pedestal portions 22, 34, however, instead of carrying split die members 30l and 32, are cut away to provide an enlarged central opening 36 for a purpose as will presently appear.

A V-shaped gniide .and support member 38 extends between and is supported by the fixed pedestals 20; 22, whereas a similarly shaped guide member 40 extends between and is supported by the hinged pedestal members 24 and 3'4.

As shown in FIGS. 3 Vand 4, the fixed pedestals also provide support for a pair of spacing or templet bars 42 and 44 provided at opposite sides of the pedestal structures. More specifically, the templet bars are carried by a pair of longitudinal frame supponts 46, there being pins or bolts 48 upstanding from such supports having slotted interconnection with the templet bars so that the templets may be shifted laterally toward and away from each other.

Referring to FIG. 6, it will be seen that there is provided a clamping plug 50 adapted to be positioned between the cooperative split dies 30 and 32. More specifically, the plug member comprises a pair of plates 52 and 54 secured together and having interposed therebetween a plate or sheet of rubber 56. The plug is provided with a passage 8 interconnecting with a liquid supply conduit 60 leading from a suitable pressure reservoir, and a passage 62 interconnecting with an air escape or exhaust conduit 64. A bolt 66 extends through the plug, the bolt having pivoted to its outer end a cam 68 to which -is secured a handle 70. The arrangement is such that upon manipulation of the handle, the plates 52 and 54 may be compressed relatively toward each other so as to radially expand the rubber member 56 into clamping engagement toward the split die members 30 and 32.

Referring further to FIG. y6, it will be seen that the apparatus further comprises a second plug member generally indicated by the reference numeral 72, composed of a pair of metal plates 74 and 76 adapted to clampingly engage an intermediate plate 78 of rubber or the like. A bolt 80 operable by a cam 82 and handle 84 is provided for effecting the radial expansion of the rubber plate 78, as in fthe case of the plug structure 5t)l previously described. The rubber plate 78 cooperates with a ring 85 adapted to be arranged in embracing relation therewith. The plug 72 is carried by the end of a piston rod 86 adapted to be connected to a suitable cylinder and piston structure (not shown) by which the piston rod may be power propelled in an axial direction.

In the operation of fabricating the reinforced flexible conduit, in accordance with the present invention, the cylinder blank 10 is mounted within the forming apparatus, as shown in FIG. 2, with the reinforcement rings 12 embracing the blank in predetermined spaced relation, as shown. In addition to the intermediate rings 12, the number of which is determined by the length and desired physical characteristics of the completed unit, one end flange reinforcing ring 14 is arranged at either end of the structure.

In mounting the cylinder blank 10 and the reinforcement rings 12 and 14 into position, the hinged pedestal sections 24 and 34 are raised so as to render the interior of the forming apparatus accessible. The lower support trough 38 is so disposed as to properly position the parts, 'the rings 12 and l14 being supponted thereon.

To effect the rapid and proper axial placement of the rings, the templet bars 42 and 44 are brought into operative position, as shown in FIG. 4. The inner edges of these bars are notched at proper intervals Ito space and position the reinforcement rings.

The plug members 50l and 72 are next mounted in position, into the opposite ends of the cylinder blank, the ring 85 being arranged in embracing relation to one end` of the tube, around the plug 72.

The hinged pedestal sections 24 and 34 may next be lowered, and clamped; and the handles 70l and 84 manipulated to grip the opposite ends of the cylindrical blank. As will be understood, one end of the blank is clamped in a -uid-'tigh-t joint between the rubber plate 56 and the cooperative die members 30 and 32. 'Ihe opposite end of the blank is gripped in a fluid-tight connection between the rubber expander plate 78 and the ring 85.

The templet bars 42 and 44 are next withdrawn, after which liquid lunder pressure is introduced into the interior of the cylindrical blank 10 by means of the pressure conduit y60 and associated plug passage 58. Trapped air within the blank is relieved through passage 62 and associated conduit 64, as will be understood. As the hydraulic pressure is introduced, axial force is also imparted -to the piston rod 86, whereby to effect a radial expansion and axial collapse of the wall sections of the blank 10 at spaced intervals, so as to form annular corrugations therein. The parts `are shown prior to the forming operation in FIGS. 2 and 6, and after the forming in FIGS. 5 and 7. During the forming operation the reinforcing rings 12 move into engagement, as shown in lFIG. 7, the lguide members 38 and 40 being suciently spaced when the pedestals are clamped to permit free axial movement of the rings.

As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the interior surfaces of the rings 12 and 14 are shaped as indicated at 8b so as to impart a predetermined shaping to the convolution walls as the convolutions are formed.

Upon relief of the hydraulic pressure, withdrawal of the plugs, and opening of the pedestal hinge sections, the assembled expansion unit comprised of the corrugated blank |10 and the integ-ral rings 10 and 14 may be removed from the forming apparatus. To complete the unit each end of the blank 10 may be flanged over onto the end face of its associated flange member 14, as indicated at in FIG. l0'. Also, a slight axial pulling force is imparted to each end of the blank so as to effect a slight separation of the rings as shown at 92.

It will be seen that in :accordance with the structures set forth, the reinforcing rings 12 and 14, which remain Ias a part of the completed unit, are employed also as the forming dies for forming the convolutions -in the cylindrical blank or flexible conduit piece 10. The production of -a reinforced exi'ble conduit, such -for example as an expansion unit, is thus facilitated inasmuch as it is not necessary .to assemble reinforcing rings upon the structure after the corrugating operations. Further, the -various reinforcementv rings 12 land 14 are of one piece integral construction, the unbalance and weakness of bolt holes and associated bolt connections being avoided. The rings may thus be made smaller, `and lighter in Weight, in respect to any required ring strength. Still further, any slight irregularities or imperfections Yas may be present in the rings will be reproduced in the associated convolutions 94 of the member .10 cooperable therewith, so that such irregularities and imperfections in effect neutralize themselves and in any event cannot become cumulative as may result -in instances wherein the convolutions and the rings are separately formed. A perfect t between the convolutions 94 and their lassociated reinforcing rings is thus insured; while at the same time expensive machining of the rings is not required.

The flanging operation for the end of the flexible cytlindrical member may be avoided by means as illustrated in FIG. 9. In this instance the end flange reinforcing ring Ias indicated at 14a, corresponding in function and purpose to the reinforcing ring `14 previously described, is employed as the reaction base for the rubber clamping plate 56, the split die members, such for example as indicated 'at 32a, being shaped to receive the ring 14a land to conform thereto. The ring 14a is preferably in this instance provided with a recess 95- into which lan annular portion of the member `10 is projected `as the rubber plate 56 is expanded.

If desired, the interconnection between the members 10 and 14a may :be further reiruiorced by a circular seam resistance weld, `as indicated at 96 in FIG. ll, the weld bein-g formed after the corrugating operation by suitable means such as welding rollers 98 and 100.

It is obvious that various changes may be made in the specific embodiments set forth 'without departing from the spirit of the invention. 'Ihe invention is accordingly not to be limited to the specific embodiments shown and described, but only `as indicated in the following claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. Apparatus for making reinforced flexible conduits comprising means `arranged for supporting a tubular member having a plurality of one-piece I'rings having uninterrupted substantially -circular peripheral edges in axially spaced embracing relation therewith, means including an elongated one-piece bar having equally spaced recesses therein extending axially of the tubular member for initially receiving -said peripheral ed-ges and spacing the rings, means supporting said elongated bar for movement transversely of said tubular member and against longitudinal movement, sealing means for one end of the tube, sealing :means for the other end of the tube, each of said sealing means including 4axially inner and outer rigid members adapted to .be inserted within sai-d conduit, a resilient radially expandib-le member disposed between said inner and outer rigid members, a bolt secured to said inner member and slidably extending through apertures in said resilient and outer members, and cam means pivotally connected to Ian outer end portion of said bolt for rotation about an axis traversing the axis of said bolt and engageable with said outer rigid member for releasably drawing said rigid members relatively together and against said resilient member to cause said resilient member to expand radially into sealing engagement with the conduit, means including a conduit passage through at least one of said sealing means for introducing pressure liquid into said tube te etect the annular corrugating thereof between said rings, and guide means including a pair of opposed 'generally V-shaped members disposed at opposite sides of said tubular member `and slidably engageable with said edges of said rings at circumferentially spaced areas thereof.

2. Apparatus for makin-g reinforced flexible conduits, comprising frame means, support means carried thereby for generally horizontally supporting a tubular member and including a plurality of reinforcing rings with uninterrupted annular peripheral edges in axially spaced embracing relation therewith, sealing means for one end of the tubular member, `sealing means -for the other end of the tubular member, means shiftable axially of the tubular members for forcing the ends thereof relatively toward each other to eect annular corrugating of the tubular member between the rings, a pair of generally oppositely disposed spaced and substantially longitudinally extending parallel elongated guide means respectively for extending `axially over and opposite portions of the tubular member and having angularly disposed portions substantially tangent lto and en-gageable with circumferentially spaced areas of said annular peripheral edges of the reinforcing rings for guiding the rings during the corrugating operation, a pair of elongated spacer members located between said pair of `guide means and disposed for extending `axially along opposite side portions of the tubular members, -said spacer members respectively including recess means for receiving and locating the annular peripheral edges of the rings for initially spacing the rings along the tubular member, and means providing a slidable interconnection between said lfra-me means and said elongated spacer members for permitting movement of said spacer members toward and away `from each other respectively for engagement with and withdrawal trom engagement with the lannular peripheral edges of said rings.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 349,718 Hollerith et al. Sept. 28, 1886 1,689,620 Cliiord Oct. '30; 1928 1,823,532 Clifford Sept. 15, 193,1 2,044,711 Mantle June 16, 1936 2,048,588 Babcock July 21, 1936 2,444,192 Giesler June 29', 1948 2,749,963 Candee June 12, -1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 595,630 Great Britain Dec. 11, 1947 

2. APPARATUS FOR MAKING REINFORCED FLEXIBLE CONDUITS, COMPRISING FRAME MEANS, SUPPORT MEANS CARRIED THEREBY FOR GENERALLY HORIZONTALLY SUPPORTING A TUBULAR MEMBER AND INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF REINFORCING RINGS WITH UNINTERRUPTED ANNULAR PERIPHERAL EDGES IN AXIALLY SPACED EMBRACING RELATION THEREWITH, SEALING MEANS FOR ONE END OF THE TUBULAR MEMBER, SEALING MEANS FOR THE OTHER END OF THE TUBULAR MEMBER, MEANS SHIFTABLE AXIALLY OF THE TUBULAR MEMBERS FOR FORCING THE ENDS THEREOF RELATIVELY TOWARD EACH OTHER TO EFFECT ANNULAR CORRUGATING OF THE TUBULAR MEMBER BETWEEN THE RINGS, A PAIR OF GENERALLY OPPOSITELY DISPOSED SPACED AND SUBSTANTIALLY LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING PARALLEL ELONGATED GUIDE MEANS RESPECTIVELY FOR EXTENDING AXIALLY OVER AND OPPOSITE PORTIONS OF THE TUBULAR MEMBER AND HAVING ANGULARLY DISPOSED PORTIONS SUBSTANTIALLY TANGENT TO AND ENGAGEABLE WITH CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED AREAS OF SAID ANNULAR PERIPHERAL EDGES OF THE REINFORCING RINGS FOR GUIDING THE RINGS DURING THE CORRUGATING OPERATION, A PAIR OF ELONGATED SPACER MEMBERS LOCATED BETWEEN SAID PAIR OF GUIDE MEANS AND DISPOSED FOR EXTENDING AXIALLY ALONG OPPOSITE SIDE PORTIONS OF THE TUBULAR MEMBERS, SAID SPACER MEMBERS RESPECTIVELY INCLUDING RECESS MEANS FOR RECEIVING AND LOCATING THE ANNULAR PERIPHERAL EDGES OF THE RINGS FOR INITIALLY SPACING THE RINGS ALONG THE TUBULAR MEMBER, AND MEANS PROVIDING A SLIDABLE INTERCONNECTION BETWEEN SAID FRAME MEANS AND SAID ELONGATED SPACER MEMBER FOR PERMITTING MOVEMENT OF SAID SPACER MEMBERS TOWARD AND AWAY FROM EACH OTHER RESPECTIVELY FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH AND WITHDRAWAL FROM ENGAGEMENT WITH THE ANNULAR PERIPHERAL EDGES OF SAID RINGS. 